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Southern University board votes not to renew Llorens contract

SU James Llorens

Southern University Chancellor James Llorens addresses an audience during a student showcase for Southern University's centennial on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. (Photo by Brianna Paciorka, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

A “yes” vote to extend Lorens’ contract could have meant that they wanted to keep him as chancellor, but with the stipulation that the president’s office have more input on financial happenings at the Baton Rouge campus.

Also with Llorens originally apprehensive to Mason’s qualified recommendation, a “yes” vote could be viewed as support for Llorens, knowing the chancellor may have rejected the extension and terms and conditions.

A “no” vote, however, could have sent the message of ousting Llorens or voting “no” to making the chancellor work with the president to reassess the flagship campus.

After the meeting, Chairwoman Dinvaut declined to comment, and her fellow board members were ordered to follow suit.

The contract proposed called for an additional year for Llorens, with the following benchmarks put in place: Increase enrollment, balance the university’s budget, meet the performance terms in the 2010 LA GRAD ACT, and resolve any issues with the NCAA and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a regional accrediting agency.

The contract's language also included Mason's original recommendation, which reads as follows:

'Recommend to extend the contract of the SUBR Chancellor for one year provided that commencing on March 1, 2014: (1) the Chancellor assist the President and System staff in conducting an organizational assessment of the SUBR that must be completed by May 31, 2014; and (2) the Chancellor assist the President in making recommendations to the Board regarding necessary financial and organizational changes for SUBR not later than July 1, 2014.'

Monday’s motion was strikingly similar to the president’s language first discussed at the Feb. 7 board meeting in Shreveport. A divided board ultimately voted 9-6 in to reject a one-year extension that came with the requirement that Llorens work with the president’s office in relation to organizational structure.

Angry reaction was almost immediate on the Southern campus.

Students staged a sit-in protest and Llorens received an outpouring of support from alumni and some board members. The response prompted the board to revisit the matter at the special meeting Monday afternoon.

Llorens had originally rejected those terms but Monday seem to take a different approach, saying that the president’s recommendation uses the word ‘assist’. He also agreed to all terms, timeline and benchmarks set forth by Mason and the board of supervisors.

However, Mason’s recommendation was seen as an overreach of the president’s office.

Mason said after the meeting, that more oversight on Baton Rouge's campus was not his intention, but more so bringing together manpower and brainpower to help Southern University as a whole.

In an hour-long public comment session, Llorens received overwhelming support from students, faculty, alumni and supporters.

Sara Anne Martin, vice president of Southern’s student government association, says removing Llorens now would be detrimental. “We feel comfortable with him,” she said, adding that Llorens’ contract should be extended without any stipulations.

“I’m seeing a decision causing a split that’s leading to the demise of Southern University,” Gloria Spooner, a 1951 SU graduate said Monday. Spooner says she supports an extension for Llorens.

Often a low-turnout at board meetings, supporters of Llorens packed the board meeting room in the administration building, with some standing and waiting nearly four hours for a decision from the board of supervisors.